Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-12-15
A Modern Monte Cristo.


A Modern Monte CrisfO.
The Uuion Pacific overland train few
weeks ago had a passenger on board named
Edward Harrison, we'll known California
millionaire, whose history, as related by
himself 10 a Bee representative, is most
romantic one, and in degree equals that of
Dumas' famous hero, Edmund DaDtes.
The reporter was given "tip" by sable
porter that passenger OF more than ordi-
nary interest was seated in the smoking
compartment of the rear Car and the gentle
man was sought out. Mr.. Harrison, for
| that wus his name, is fine looking man,
forty one years OF age. He wears full
beard, slightly tinged with gray, and is q
pronounced brunette. During the wait at
the depot ard the ride TO Council Bluffs he
related his story, which substantially is as
| follows
Mr.. Harrison is the son of New York
| tailor doing business at No. 422 Fourth ave-
nue., New York. In 1865, when eighteen
years OF age, he ran away from home and
made his way TO New Orleans He found
nearly ali industries paralyzsd from the ef.
fects Of the war and for self main
on the sugar plantation of Pierre Gonee
Here he remained fer four years. and by
practici6g the strictest economy was enabled
to save $780, In 1870 Mr. Harrison decided
to go to California and in the spring of that
| year reached Sacramento. Here be became
acquainted with man named James Law
son, with whom lie entered into partnership
and the commission house Of Harrison q
| Lawson was established. Both put in an
equal amount of money, but after five
months of the firms existence Mr. Harri
son discovered that Lawson was systemati
cally robbiag him and insisted that the part
nership he dissolved. After several stormy
scenes between the two men the dissolution
was effected and each one began business
Under his own name. The rivalry existing
between The two men waa the subject Of
much concern among the people of Sacrs-
meDto, and it was the openly expressed
opinion OF many that the feud would end in
bloodshed. Both men were bet tempered,
aud on many occasions expressed their
hatred for each other in nnguarded and vio-
| lent terms. In fact, Mr.. Harrison was
kuown to have said that he would "fix Law
| son forever" if opportunity WAS ever offered
One night about seven months after the
d!sF o!u,on Of the firm of Harrison & Law
sen the latter was shot and instantly killed
| Immediately in front of MIR. HarrisoD's place
of business. Mr.. Harrison was writing let
| ters at his desk when the shot was fired. He
grabbed up pistol that lay before him and
rushed to the sidewalk. There he found o
PROSTATE form. but ere he could discover its
identity the police came up and placed Har-
rison under arrest. Next morning he was
lodged in the county Jail to await trial on
the charge of murder.
At the next term of the Criminal Court
Mr.. Harrison was tried for the murder of
James Lawson The best legal talent in the
State was employed by the defense. The
chain OF circumstantial evidence was so
strong that uything short of conviction was
impossible, and Mr.. Harrison waa found
guilty and sentenced to be hanged. 1t was
proved that Lawson and Harrison were
deadly enemies, that The latter had made
threats against the formers life, that he was
found standing over the murdered man with
q pistol in mis- hand from which one shot had
been fired, and that the bullet found in Law
sons body was of the same calibre as those
remaining in Harrison's weapon.
Mr.. Harrison's attorneys Immediately fled
motion for new trial on the ground of
having discovered new ard important evil
dence After several days. argument their
client was granted q new trial. Harrison's
lawyers then set up novel defense, and by
a number of witnesses showed that their cli
ent was somnambuist and that he had
been known to discharge firearms before
while in a trance. 1t was shown that he
had remained up all night previous to the
murder and had complained of great fatigue
during the day. The jury was out five days
and then brought in verdict of guilty of
murder in the second degree. While this
was clearly in violation of the evidence and
law, Mr. Harrison's attorneys couDseled
their client to abide by it. They evidently
considered him guilty and thought he was
getting oil very easily.
The unfortunate man was sentenced tot the
psnlteniiary for eighteen years. During
the nine years that followed he became &C
liam Paddock, sentenced to life for the murder
ola miner. Finally. in the year 1882, Hsr-
ri,pn was pardoned and released from i'm
pisoument. his innocence being. established
bg The death bed confession of q man named
Eaton, who stated that he killed Lawson
for the purpose of robbery but the appear
auce of Harrison on the scene with pis-
tol in his hand prevented him from remoy-
ing the murdered mans valuebes. Before
he left the prison he was accorded an inter-
view with Paddock, who told him of certain
rich gold deposits in Idaho known only to
hrn. This Information was given to Mr..
Harrison only with the understanding that
if he found the statement to be true he
should use every effort TO secure Paddock Is
pardon aud give him certain percentage
of the value of the find.
Mr.. Harrison was greatly impressed with
the truth of Psddock's revelation, and after
securing what little money he possessed
started at once FIR Idaho. Following the
instructions OF Paddock he 6uslly struck